Box Score |
NASHVILLE - Eastern Illinois fought back from a 20-point halftime deficit to cut the Tennessee State lead down to three points in the final minute but could not finish off the comeback falling 78-74 on Thursday night at Gentry Center.
TSU was 8-of-14 from 3-point range in the opening half as the Tigers built a 40-20 halftime lead. Marcus Fitzgerald Jr. scored 15 of his 26 points in the first 20 minutes knocking down 3-of-5 from 3-point range. Fitzgerald was 13-of-13 at the foul line as the Tigers made free throws down the stretch.
The Panthers slowly cut into the lead in the second half with free throws by
Caleb Donaldson at 12:53 trimming the lead to 50-40. Donaldson would follow with a jumper in the paint to get the lead to single digits at 12:08.
EIU cut the margin to six four more times in the final minutes, the first time coming on a dunk by
Kinyon Hodges as he led EIU with 22 points. Hodges hit a 3-pointer in final 30 seconds that cut the lead to three points at 77-74.
TSU would ice the game at the line as they finished 24-of-28 at the line including 18-of-22 in the second half.
EIU pounded the ball into the paint in the second half with
Kyle Thomas and
Nick Ellington both providing double figures. Thomas had 16 points while Ellington added 11.
Yaakema Rose Jr., just missed a double-double with nine rebounds and nine assists.
Jr. Clay joined Fitzgerald in double figures for the Tigers with 18 points as TSU finished the game 10-of-24 from 3-point range.
EIU fell to 7-13 overall, 3-4 in the OVC. TSU moved to 11-9 overall, 3-4 in the OVC.